No OS file found on disk

I'm looking at a Toshiba Satellite L455D with Windows 7 home premium. It's has a hard drive about a year old, which I installed for the person at that time with a new copy of Windows. Now, it hangs at the 'starting windows screen.' Start up repair relays this message:

No OS files found on disk.
Repair action: Partition table repair
Result: Failed error code = 0x490


I had tried booting with the dvd prior to seeing this. When it asked what os i wanted to boot, it did list the current os.

The hard drive is listed correctly in the bios, so it is at least being recognized.

Start up repair seems to be suggesting that the hard drive is wiped, or bad.

Suggestions?

Can you access Advanced Boot Options menu (step 3)?

Advanced Boot Options

If yes I'd try Safe Mode (just to see if operating system is functional) and/or last known good configuration. I kinda suspect from what you've already tried it won't work. In which case I think I'd just go for another clean install.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Clean Install Windows 7

I can certainly re install the system. I would like to use this option last if possible, as she wants her pics and docs off of if if possible. I have the install dvd and drivers at hand if needed. Next I will slap the hdd in my external case and see if I can access the info from my pc. I might also use a Linux live cd to boot it and see if i can also access the info there, as well as check the condition of the drive.
Once I tried sfc and it said there was a system repair in progress that is requiring a reboot. Reboot and try again. So I did, and got the same message repeated. With sfc, I was hoping to check the condition of the system files and replace if needed, also try writing or repairing boot sectors, but am not able to access sfc.

I was able to put the hdd in an external caddy and view all the info resting perfectly. I saved all she needed. the pc is able to go to advanced options, but after a short time the pc just shuts down. i cleaned the heat sink and the connection to the fan is loose, the fan doesnt run right. i wondering about fixmbr once the cmd prompt can be accessed.

One of the Forum experts prepared these troubleshooting guides. They might provide a clue as to what's wrong.

Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot